Crazy Parent Hacks

Crazy Hip Blog Mamas carnival topic this week is "crazy parent hacks" and "things we've done that we said we'd never do."

Crazy Parent Hacks

I wrote about chapstick and wash-cloths previously. But I'll add to this theme with dryer sheets. When your child has static electricity in their hair, keep a dryer sheet around. Simply rub their little, electric head with the dryer sheet and tah-dah! no more electrocuting, fly-away hair.

Ziplock bags have a gablillion uses. For those of us with long-haired girls (boys too, I guess), I sort the rubber bandy things and barrettes and clips into separate clear ziplock bags.

Diaper rash soother. When my babies have had a diaper rash that caused them discomfort, I combine .5% hydrocortisone and Desitin-type diaper rash cream in my hand (equal parts) and apply it to their bum. The hydrocortisone cream relieves the pain and sting while the Desitin stuff does its job.

Cardstock paper. I use this for all kinds of crafts and art projects for Stinkerbell. It is the best for fingerpainting, as it is very thick and stiff and holds up to the moisture in the paint.

Laundry baskets.? It is an incredible challenge to get Stinkerbell to put her shoes in her closet. FORGET getting her to arrange them in a neat, orderly manner. (Not that I set a good example there anyway, Mrs. Kick-your-shoes-into-a-pile!) A small plastic laundry basket is where her shoes are tossed.

Sippy cups. We've used this kind of sippy cup for years with Stinkerbell. Remove the valve and it provides for a great grease-fire-flare-up killer when grilling. When I'm in a big rush to go somewhere and just dying for some orange juice, I use one of her sippies. She told me the other day, however, that I'm sucking from them wrong.



Famous Last Words (or things I said I'd never do, but do all the time...)

Well, lemmetellya. I've done plenty that I said I'd never do. Both as a parent and as a plain ol' person. But the one thing I'm going to claim today is I let Lucky suck his thumb. Now I'm sure some of you encourage your baby to suck his/her thumb. Yet, I would prefer he take his pacifier. Stinkerbell was a very serious pacifier sucker and gave it up pretty easily too. But Lucky will spit out his "pappy" so that he can get his thumb or finger or WHOLE HAND in his mouth instead. I realize that the act of getting his hand to his mouth is a developmental step, so I don't discourage the accomplishment. But gosh, I wish he'd practice putting his pappy in his mouth instead!

TV babysitter? yup.

Wipe a nose with my sleeve? yup.

Wash a face with my own spit? duh.

Feed cookies for breakfast? yes, but rarely.

Say "shut up"? ashamedly, yes.



That's enough. I'm already an insane redbird. I won't keep berating myself.